Opinion
Merlyn Johnson: How would open enrollment affect Barry County?
Open enrollment legislation working its way through the state General Assembly would enable K-12 students to attend school in a nonresident district. This may appeal to parents for a variety of reasons including specialized academic offerings, class sizes, friendships, facilities, sports, location, convenience and the overall feeling/atmosphere of a district.
Bill Hodgson: Human seasons and seasons of faith
This devotional and directory is made possible by these businesses who encourage all to attend worship services. In the first chapter of Genesis, during the fourth day, God made the great lights “to separate the day from night; let them serve as signs and for the fixing of seasons, days and years.
Kyle Troutman: Keep a hard hat handy
Everywhere you turn in Barry County, ground is moving. Just last week, the Barry County Commission led a groundbreaking for the new jail and health department, a result of years of work and attempts at remedying the ongoing safety issues at the current jail.

Jeremiah Buntin: Absent history
In February the Barry County Museum will on occasion receive an inquiry related to Black history in the area. Some of the curiosity may stem from a misconception due to the name of the Black School House on the museum campus, which was named after the Black family rather than the race.
TroutMom says: Research and retractions
I am working on a research project for one of my final courses for my Bachelor’s Degree. The class was given three choices for their projects, but all of them have to do with misinformation.
Rich Cummings: The special nature of unreciprocated love
This devotional and directory is made possible by these businesses who encourage all to attend worship services. Iwas in the seventh grade and our gym teacher decided it was time for our exercise to turn to dancing.
Kyle Troutman: Ads here and ads there
My 7-year-old was playing on her iPad the other day, some game where she dresses up horses or something. She was bee-boppin’ along, humming a little tune as happy as a lark when the unthinkable happened.

Trout Tales, Feb. 15
My fish eye was starstruck this week when ESPN came to town again! Luis Alferso Alvarez did a great job on the commentary, Ashley Brewer may have been overdressed but sure held down the anchor seat, and Troy Aikman was really getting into the game. It’s pretty amazing ESPN comes to work our Tip-Off games — I can’t wait to see who they send next year!.
Jon Horner: Eluding financial envy
Recently my pastor, Jeff, did a great message on envy. As one of the seven deadly sins, it can definitely impact people’s lives and most often it’s not a beneficial impact.